Crossing Destinies (A Pretender Story) #Wattys2019 #Wattys2021

Chapter VII: Allegro Part 1

Chapter VII: Allegro Part 1

Monday, June 17th, 08.30 a.m.

The day after, Erin needed to go to the gym quite early, therefore Jarod, as his black belt lesson was due in the evening, returned to the motel.

Jean welcomed Erin with a smile full of anticipation:

"So, how was it?" she enquired, intrigued. Erin put on her best poker face:

"Fine, thanks", she answered in an indifferent tone, to keep her hanging a little longer. But she could't fool Jean not even for one second: they had been friends for more than ten years, and she knew her far too good.

"C'mon, spill the beans!" Jean urged her, eagerly. Erin kept silent for a few moments, just to increase even more her friend's expectation, then produced one of those smiles as bright as the sun of hers:

"We spent the whole weekend together."

"WOW!" Jean cried, enthusiastic, "And you stayed in bed the whole time?"

"Jeanie!" Erin burst out, laughing, "D'you know you're really indiscreet?"

"Sure I do, but are we or are we not best friends? This means we exchange the hottest secrets, isn't it?"

This was true, Erin admitted by herself; but in the last two years or so, it had always been Jean telling hot secrets to her, and not vice-versa. Well, finally time had arrived for her to tell hot secrets, thought she with a naughty grin.

"No, we didn't stay in bed the whole time", she answered therefore, chuckling, "We stayed also under the shower, and in the swimming-pool..."

Jean burst into laughter, glad for her friend.

"It's fantastic! I'm so happy for you... You truly deserve it."

"Thank you, Jean... But please, when you'll see him, tonight, don't scold him again!" at her quizzical glance, Erin explained, "He told me that the first day you threatened to hit him..."

Jean giggled:

"I saw immediately the way he looked at you, and I warned him", she admitted, "But later I realised he wasn't kidding around: otherwise I wouldn't have encouraged you, for sure!"

They chatted for awhile, speaking in the explicit way that women use among them and that could make the most experienced gigolo blush, but had to stop when the first patrons arrived.

Jarod couldn't stand to stay apart from Erin the whole day and at noon he called her for a picnic. She accepted gladly and, under Jean's mischievous gaze, she left the gym to jump in Jarod's car. The urban park was much smaller than the state park they had visited on Saturday, but equally nice; they spread out a blanket on the lawn and sat on it, eating the sandwiches and the fruit salad that Jarod had prepared, and drinking apple juice. Then they laid under a tree, holding one another, for a short rest.

"Will you stay at mine and sleepover tonight?" Erin asked after a few minutes.

"Only sleepover?" Jarod joked. She laughed:

"After the black belts training, usually I'm exhausted!"

The young man thought briefly:

"I, too, as a matter of fact", he admitted, "But you can never say..." he grinned, then he kissed her hair, "Sure I'll come at yours. Anytime you want me to."

She crouched against his chest, feeling all of a sudden a great peacefulness. Her fears forgotten, her loneliness forgotten, she felt as if she was living a magical moment. Her wounded heart had found a balm that was healing it little by little. Tears of pure happiness filled her eyes and she held Jarod tight.